Sam Mitchell Warns Hawthorn’s Challenges Go Beyond Individual Players
Sam Mitchell, the coach of Hawthorn, has highlighted that the team’s challenges go beyond any single player, as Will Day makes a long-awaited return to the AFL lineup on Thursday night. The match against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium is expected to be a significant moment for the Hawks, with Day and forward Jack Gunston making key inclusions.
Gunston has been sidelined for the last two games due to a foot injury, while Day has not played at all this season because of a dislocated shoulder. He also only managed six senior games last season, again due to injury. At his best, Day is considered one of Hawthorn’s most important players. However, Mitchell emphasized that Day’s return will not be a quick fix for the team’s issues.
“Adding talent back into your group is always important, but we would like to think we don’t rely on individual players too much,” Mitchell said. “It’s a bit of a risky way to plan your strategy. So he’s a very good player, and we love having him out there.”
“Can we not win games without Will Day? Well, of course we can. And are we better with him in? Of course we are. So he’s a player who’s going to be important for us when the right time comes.”
A Challenging Match Against St Kilda
Facing Ross Lyon’s St Kilda at Marvel Stadium is always a difficult task, and Mitchell stressed that Hawthorn must bring their best football to the clash. The Hawks had a strong win over Adelaide last week, but had lost their previous two games. Meanwhile, St Kilda is also struggling with a 5-6 record and will recall Alix Tauru and Isaac Keeler for the game.
Mitchell noted that the team has shown moments of good performance but hasn’t been consistent enough in scoring.
“The last couple, we’ve played some periods of good footy and haven’t been shooting the lights out,” Mitchell said. “But we’ve been performing at a reasonably consistent level. We lost a couple of games where we knew some issues were popping up. But even when we were winning games, we didn’t think we were a finished product.”
“The Saints are a genuine side, a genuine test this week.”
Honoring Neale Daniher
The AFL will hold a moment of silence before all games in round 12 this weekend to honor Neale Daniher, who passed away on Monday. Mitchell expressed deep respect for Daniher, describing the world as slightly worse for his absence.
“The world is slightly worse place for not having him in it any more,” Mitchell said of Daniher.
The former Essendon player and Melbourne coach died of motor neuron disease. Since his 2013 diagnosis, Daniher had been a passionate advocate for raising money for a cure.
